The
vision of MarcoIslandCharterMiddle
School is to create a community-centered, state of
the art facility that promotes student participation in a stimulating learning
environment that is positive, hopeful and exciting.The mission of MICMS is high academic
achievement and responsible moral character for its students, achieved through
relentless attention to innovation in core discipline, teaching techniques, and
extra curricular activities.

Interdisciplinary Team

Middle School is a
transition time for students who are mature enough to leave elementary school
and accept additional responsibilities not yet ready to enter high school with
its many choices and sophisticated milieu. Suring the three years of middle
school education, a major shift occurs within the child. To shepherd the middle
school students through this transitional and formative period, middle schools
traditionally have an “interdisciplinary team.”

The interdisciplinary team
consists of groups of teachers representing the basic academic and humanities
subjects, who share the same group of students and become a “school within a
school”.

Not only does this
organization provide a transition between the self-contained classroom structure
of the elementary level, but it also gives a structure and security that
adolescents need to survive the often tumultuous middle school years. In
addition, by reducing the size of the immediate group to which students belong,
they are more likely to experience a sense of belonging , being known and
recognized.

Basic Academic Program

MICMS’
Academic Program accommodates the nationally acclaimed CORE Knowledge Curriculum
and the Florida Sunshine State Standards in order to meet state mandates and
agreements with the District School Board of Collier County. The academic
program is rigorous, providing opportunities in a wide range of areas yet
emphasizing fundamental skills and content necessary for future academic
success.

Students demonstrating
academic excellence may qualify for advanced classes and high school credit
bearing classes if entrance criterion is met. Students who need academic support
may participate in classes that will build the skills necessary to become a
successful student.

The fundamental belief
underlying the academic program is that all children can learn and all can
succeed when provided with the appropriate instruction and a commitment on the
part of the student, parent and school to work together as a team to bring about
that success.

The Exceptional Student
Program

MICMS
believes that all students have the ability to learn and that the student
potential, at whatever level, can be nurtured and developed.

The Exceptional Student
Program (ESE) is composed of two categories: students who possess a learning
disability and those who possess a giftedness in a particular field or range of
intelligence.

Students who are challenged
with a learning disability are eligible to attend classes at MICMS provided that the
school has the ability and educational resources to deliver the educational
services called for in the individual Educational Plan (IEP).
Students
are served daily by an ESE teacher in a learning strategies class and one day
per week by an ESE specialist. In addition, the small and familiar school
environment tends to enhance the possibilities for success for the ESE student.
MICMS uses the “Inclusion” model when educating students
in the ESE program, only pulling them out only when necessary for a particular
instruction. Parent/Guardian conferences are held. Diagnostic assessments are
available. For further information, contact the school ESE teacher.

Students who qualify and are
admitted into the “Gifted” program are served by a consult teacher who holds or
is working towards a gifted endorsement. These students are “melded “ into the
regular classes and receive rigorous and challenging opportunities to learn and
demonstrate their knowledge through a variety of formats. Students may also
accelerate through the honors curriculum, if they qualify. Students will follow
the gifted learning strategies curriculum and research component of the
pre-laureate program.

Additionally, these students
will develop a portfolio that serves the student in reviewing and reflecting
upon the content and progression of the classes. Parent/Guardian conferences
are held. Diagnostic assessments are also available. For further
information, please contact the teacher for the gifted.

English Speakers of other
Languages

Students who attend MICMS with limited English
proficiency enter the Limited English Proficiency program (LEP).
These students are served by a teacher who holds or is working towards this
endorsement.

LEP
students work with a trained teacher in a Learning Strategies class daily. These
students are immersed into the English-speaking environment and proficiency
excels in an “Inclusion” model.

The
LEP teacher assists students who are in need of help
through group conferences and individual conferences. testing is available.
Parent/Guardian conferences are held.

Marco
Island Charter Middle School Course Descriptions

Art

Grade
7 ART -
Meets 1 semester. $20.00 materials fee includes sketchbook. This
course reviews and further develops the language of art as means to the
expression of self in a variety of media. Students maintain a daily sketchbook
and produce works of art in the following major areas: drawing, painting,
sculpture, crafts, ceramics and graphic design. Emphasis is placed on art
history from Impressionism to Modern American Painting and their relationship to
other disciplines. Students also learn to critique- describe, analyze, interpret
and judge the works of self and others.

Grade
8 ART-
Meets daily for 9 weeks. $10.00 materials fee includes sketchbook. Students
review two and three dimensional design, maintain a daily sketchbook and produce
works of art in a variety of media. Weekly topics include Painting since World
War II, Photography as an art form, 20* Century Sculpture, and Architecture
Since the Industrial Revolution.

Computers

Computer Applications Grade
6 – The class is designed to help
students develop speed and accuracy by learning the touch operation of
alphanumeric/ key-board characters. Emphasis is placed on the following: mastery
of the keyboard with desirable keyboarding techniques; development of speed and
accuracy; basic problem solving applications of centering and arranging reports,
letters, and tables; proofreading; formatting; and proper care of the
equipment.Students will also learn essential components of a computer
system, utilize the computer for research, experiment with
Microsoft Office including Word,
Excel, Powerpointand Windows XP including WordPAD, Paint and Calculator, and
use CAI programs (FCATEXPLORER, Florida Achieves, virtual labs, etc) to reinforce and improve learning processes
and outcome.

Computer Applications Grade
8 - this class will meet
every day for 1 quarter.The
purpose of this course is to further refine and add to the student’s ability in
using integrated application software, expanding the level and speed of the
student’s keyboarding and decision making skills. The content includes, but is
not limited to, reinforcing touch typing skills,
proper care and components of a computer system, utilizing the computer for
research, mastering Windows XP and Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and
Powerpoint, and using
CAI programs (FCATEXPLORER, etc)
to reinforce and improve learning processes and
outcome.

ESE Learning Strategies

The
purpose of this course is to help organize students and teach them how to study.
The following study skills are included in this course:1.
Setting up a proper home study environment2.
Managing time at school and home3.
Setting goals4.
Actively listening and taking relevant notes in class5.
Reading a textbook and recording important facts6.
Homework Assistance7.
Studying class and textbook notes for an upcoming test

ESOL Study Skills

The ESOL
Study Skills course gives students the opportunity to strengthen their skills
and understanding what is expected in given assignments. These are some of the
skills included in this course:

6th grade Language Arts (regular) -
The purpose of this course
is to develop English language arts concepts and skills through meaningful
activities.The curriculum of the
course emphasizes the benchmarks and grade level expectations of the Sunshine
State Standards.The content will
include, but is not limited to, the study of literature; the use of the writing
process; and the application of reading, listening, speaking, viewing, critical
thinking and study skills.Students
will learn how to apply these skills to daily life and work.Students will write using a variety of
purposes with emphasis on all stages of the writing process (prewriting,
drafting, revising and publishing). Prerequisite:Successful completion of
5th grade language arts course.Passing scores on the FCAT and Florida/Collier
Writes.

6th grade Language Arts (advanced) -
The purpose of this course
is to further develop English language arts concepts and skills.The content will include, but is not
limited to, the interpretation of literature and the use of the writing
process.The course will also
include advanced reading skills, techniques of effective speaking, viewing, and
listening, critical thinking and study skills and how these skills relate to
success throughout their schooling and their future. Prerequisite:Successful completion of 5th
grade language arts course.Top scores on the FCAT as well as the Florida/Collier
Writes.

7th Grade Language Arts -
The purpose of this course
is to develop the ability to use, interpret, and appreciate spoken and written
English.The content should include
but not be limited to, the study of literature, practice in writing for a
variety of purposes and audiences, the learning of Latin/Greek word roots and
foreign phrases commonly used in English, and activities in speaking, listening,
viewing, and critical thinking, as well as in the use of reference
materials.Developmental reading
strategies will also be incorporated.

7th Grade Advanced Language Arts
- The purpose of this
course is to promote academic excellence in reading, writing, and oral
communication including critical thinking and study skills.This course is offered to seventh
graders who have demonstrated high ability in Language Arts through both
coursework and performance on standardized tests. The content will include but
not be limited to, applications of speaking, viewing, and listening skills, the
analysis of literature, the study of Latin/Greek word roots and foreign phrases
commonly used in English, and the uses of the writing process for creative and
expository purposes.The course
should include advanced reading, thinking, and study
skills.

8th Grade Language Arts
– The purpose of this
course is to provide students with the necessary with the necessary tools to use
critical thinking skills to analyze literature and develop stylistic writing
skills.The content includes, but
is not limited to, the interpretation and analysis of literature, writing for a
variety of purposes, practice and study of grammar to improve technical writing
skills and the usage of root words and foreign phrases.

8th Grade Advanced Language Arts
– The purpose of this
course is to provide students with the necessary with the necessary tools to use
critical thinking skills to analyze literature and develop stylistic writing
skills. This course is offered to eighth graders who have demonstrated high
ability in Language Arts through both coursework and performance on standardized
tests.The content includes, but is
not limited to, the interpretation and analysis of literature, writing for a
variety of purposes, practice and study of grammar to improve technical writing
skills and the usage of root words and foreign phrases.

Mathematics

Three levels of
mathematics (basic, developmental, and advanced) are offered in the middle
school at each grade level.The
content in regular courses is that which is expected at grade level. The
advanced level is designed to provide horizontal enrichment and/or vertical
acceleration of the regular curriculum.In addition, the high school courses, Algebra 1 Honors and Geometry
Honors, are offered to middle school students who have demonstrated high ability
in mathematics through course work and performance on standardized
tests.

FCAT Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 & 8,
year)

This additional
course is required for students scoring at either a Level 1 or Level 2 on the
Mathematics section of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).Students must also enroll in their regular
grade-levelmathematics course.
The purpose of the course is to assist students to acquire the necessary
skills for success in middle and high school mathematics courses.The content of the course shall include
the math FCAT skills.

Mathematics 1,
Advanced extends the regular sixth grade curriculum through horizontal
enrichment. Enhancement of problem solving skills is a major emphasis. Integers,
probability and statistics, and simple linear equations and inequalities are
introduced.This course is offered
to sixth graders who have demonstrated high ability in Mathematics through both
coursework and performance on standardized tests.

Mathematics 2 (Grade 7,
year)

Mathematics 2
continues the development of the skills of arithmetic and expands the
mathematical content of the sixth grade curriculum. Operation with integers and
solution of simple algebraic equations and inequalities are introduced.
Probability and statistics are developed further. Problem solving is
emphasized.A four-function
calculator is required for the course.

Mathematics 2, Advanced (Grade 7, year)

Mathematics 2,
Advanced extends the advanced sixth grade curriculum through vertical
acceleration. The course is designed to provide the mathematics foundation
necessary for the study of algebra in the eighth grade. The course emphasizes
pre-algebra skills. Properties and operations with rational numbers are
introduced; geometric concepts are extended, as well as solving and graphing
linear equations and inequalities. A scientific calculator is required for the
course.

Mathematics 3 (Grade 8,
year)

Mathematics 3
completes the skills of arithmetic and expands the mathematical content of the
seventh grade curriculum with the primary objectives of providing students with
the necessary skills for success in pre-algebra and algebra at the high school
level. Operations with rational numbers and the properties of real numbers are
introduced. Concepts in algebra and geometry, including coordinate geometry, are
expanded.A four-function
calculator is required for the course.

Algebra 1 Honors (Grades 7 & 8,
year)

Algebra 1 Honors
is a high school course offered to seventh and eighth graders who have
demonstrated high ability in mathematics through both course work and
performance on standardized tests. This course will be equivalent to the high
school Algebra 1 Honors course. Students will take the high school level
semester examinations. High school credit is issued upon successful completion
of the course.A scientific
calculator is required for the course.

1206320 Geometry Honors (Grade 8,
year)

Geometry Honors is
a high school course offered to eighth graders who have successfully completed
Algebra 1 Honors as seventh graders.The purpose of this course is to give a rigorous in-depth study of
geometry with emphasis on methods of proof, and formal language of mathematics.
Topics shall include, but no be limited to, structure of geometry, separation
properties; angle concepts; triangles; quadrilaterals; inductive and deductive
reasoning; formal and informal proofs, perpendicularity; parallelism in a plane
and in space; similar polygons; circles and spheres; constructions; area and
volume; coordinate geometry; topology; and transformational geometry. High
school credit is issued upon successful completion of the course. Prerequisite: 7th grade Algebra
Honors

Music

STARZ -
Audition Only (7th & 8th
grade students chosen the previous school year) This performance group will work
not only on vocal (solo and ensemble) and dance skills but also will use "SHARE
THE MUSIC" textbooks covering music history and music theory. Required
shirt-cost $20 - Required contract signed by parent and student

STARZ
II - NO
audition required. This performance group is open to all 7th &
8th grade students who want to perform. They study the same music and
curriculum as STARZ. Required shirt-cost $20

6™
GRADE chorus -This
group will work on vocal skills and dancing. "SHARE THE MUSIC" textbook is also
used covering music history and music theory. There will be less opportunity for
performance if the class continues to meet every other day.

JAZZ BAND - Developed as a yearlong course, the jazz
band program is designed to extend the student’s middle school band experience
and apply the training to learn jazz style.With teacher guidance, the participant
develops advanced individual skills with a focus on successful ensemble
performance.Each course requires
satisfactory development in individual techniques and a record of ensemble
performances for progression to the next level.Students may perform for various
functions during school hours or on weekends.Students must audition to enroll in this
class, as well as own, rent, or buy an instrument of their own.There is a $20.00 fee for lesson books
and sheet music.Each student will
purchase a jazz band uniform shirt for $20.00.

Band 6th, 7th, &
8th - Developed
as a yearlong course, the middle school band program is designed to extend the
student’s elementary music experience and apply the training to instrumental
music.With teacher guidance, the
participant selects an appropriate instrument and develops individual skills
with a focus on successful ensemble performance.Each course requires satisfactory
development in individual techniques, and a record of ensemble performances for
progression to the next level.Each
individual must own, rent, or buy an instrument to participate in this
course.There is a $10.00 fee for a
lesson book and sheet music.Each
child will purchase a band uniform shirt for $20.00.

Reading

The student is
meeting Marco Island Charter Middle School’s expectations in reading if the
student is reading on grade level or above grade level in two or more of the
measurements below:

·FCAT
Norm Reference Test: Placement above , at or one year below grade placement on
the comprehension sub-test.

·An
academic class grade of C or higher.

Writing

Students scoring a
3.0 or higher on the local writing test or on the FCAT writing plus test will be
considered proficient for that grade level. If scoring below a 3.0 an assessment
through portfolio samples will be reviewed by a team of teachers will determine
if the student is proficient for that grade level.

6th GradeIntensive Reading - The Intensive Reading course is required
for students scoring at a level of 1 or 2 on the Communications section of the
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Students must also be enrolled in a
regular sixth grade Language Arts Class. The purpose of Intensive Reading is to
provide instruction in basic reading with a focus on word analysis,
comprehension strategies, vocabulary development and reading fluency. The course
will include but not be limited to, content identified by the diagnosis of each
student’s needs for remedial reading as listed in the academic improvement plan,
test-taking skills, and basic reading strategies. This course is designed for
students who are reading below grade level. Students continue in this program
until a score of 3 or above is achieved on the FCAT Reading Assessment test.
This class meets daily.

6th Grade Developmental Reading
- The purpose of
developmental reading is to extend the instruction of reading skills and
strategies using the reading process. The course will involve reading, writing,
speaking, listening and viewing skills. Advanced word recognition skills in
structural analysis will be reviewed, with an emphasis on higher level
vocabulary. Study, organizational and study skills will be integrated within the
literature activities. This course is designed for students reading at or above
grade level. Students in this class also must be enrolled in a full-time sixth
grade Language Arts class. This is a yearlong, required course for
6th grade students.

7th Grade Developmental Reading
- The purpose of
developmental reading is to extend the instruction of reading skills and
strategies using the reading process. The course will involve reading, writing,
speaking, listening and viewing skills. Advanced word recognition skills in
structural analysis will be reviewed, with an emphasis on higher level
vocabulary. Study, organizational and study skills will be integrated within the
literature activities. This course is designed for students reading at or above
grade level. Students in this class also must be enrolled in a full-time sixth
grade Language Arts class. This is a yearlong, required course for
7th grade students.

7th Grade Intensive Reading -
The Intensive Reading
course is required for students scoring at a level 1 or 2 on the Communications
section of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).Students must also enroll in a regular
7th grade language arts course. The purpose of Intensive Reading is
to provide instruction in basic reading with a focus on word analysis,
comprehension strategies, vocabulary development, and reading fluency.The course will include but not be
limited to, content identified by the diagnosis of each student’s needs for
remedial reading as listed in the academic improvement plan, test-taking skills,
and basic reading strategies.This
course is designed for students who are reading substantially below grade level.

8th Grade Remedial Reading -
The purpose of this course
is to provide instruction in basic reading with a focus on word analysis,
comprehension strategies, vocabulary development, and reading fluency.This course is designed for students who
are reading below grade level and will include, but not be limited to, content
identified by the diagnosis of each student’s needs for remedial reading as
listed in the academic improvement plan, test-taking skills, and basic reading
strategies.

8th Grade Developmental Reading
- The purpose of this
course is to provide instruction in the acquisition of basic reading skills
through an integrated reading, listening, viewing, and writing approach.The content will include, but not be
limited to, the development of reading as a process with an emphasis on word
attack skills, vocabulary and comprehension development, and study and reference
skills.This is a yearlong,
required course for 8th grade students.

Science

Sixth Grade Science is a required course. It is divided
monthly into the different learning segments. Specifically, the topics include:
Introduction to Physics, Plate Tectonics, Energy, Ecology, Astronomy, and an
introduction to Human Biology. Throughout the year these lessons will be learned
via inquiry and discovery using hands on, cooperative learning, and class
discussions. A main focus will also include ethics and behavior.The science supplies fee is $21.00

Seventh Grade Science is a required course. It is integrated
into 3 main units - Earth Science, Physical Science, and Life Science.
Specifically, the topics include meteorology, chemistry, cell biology, natural
selection, geologic time, and human reproduction. Throughout the year, these
lessons will be learned through inquiry and discovery using a variety of
hands-on cooperative learning strategies infused with character education. The
Science Supplies fee is $20.

Eighth Grade Science is a required
course. Effective learning in science requires the learner to obtain knowledge
through reading, observations, and direct lab experiences/reports. The science
curriculum presented in the Eighth Grade builds upon the topics/experiences that
were introduced/taught in previous grades and entail both the Sunshine State
Standards and the Core Curriculum content guidelines. The topics that will be
covered include:

Force and Motion

Density and Buoyancy

Energy

Electricity and
Magnetism

Electromagnetic Radiation and
Light

Sound Waves

Chemistry of Food and
Respiration.

Matter

Space and Earth

Processes of Life

The students will
be conducting investigative experiments and reports utilizing the scientific
process. There is a $20 lab fee, which covers the cost of special materials and
equipment that the students will use during their
investigations.

Social
Studies

6th Grade Social
Studies - The world
history guidelines for the CORE Curriculum in 6th Grade Social Studies begin
with World Geography (Five Themes, continents, oceans, latitude/longitude, and
time zones). Other topics include studying the ancient civilizations of Egypt,
Greece, and Rome. Students will study the beginnings of the three major Western
religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The focus in sixth grade should
be on the legacy of enduring ideas from these civilizations-ideas about
democracy and government, for example, or about right and wrong. To prepare
students for seventh grade they will study about the American Revolutionary War
and the American Civil War.

7th Grade Social
Studies -

The 7th Grade Social Studies course focuses on American History
through the guidelines set forth in the Sunshine State Standards and the Core
Curriculum. The course covers the following topics:

Economics

Civics

U.S.
Geography

European Geography

Industrialization

WW I

The Roaring Twenties

The Great Depression

New Deal

WW II

The course will also include several research projects that will follow the
Pre-Laureate guidelines and the use of MLA (Modern Language Association) for
citing your sources of information used in support of the student’s Content Area
Question.

8th Grade Social Studies - The central themes of this course are
growth and change in American democracy, and interactions with world forces,
particularly nationalism and totalitarianism. We will specifically study The
Decline of European Colonialism, The Cold War, The Civil Rights Movement, The
Vietnam War and the Rise of Social Activism, The Middle East and Oil Politics,
The End of the Cold War, Civics and The Geography of Canada and Mexico.
Additionally, character development and positive life choices will be emphasized
throughout the year.

Spanish

7th Grade Spanish
-This semester long class will explore the culture,
government, geography, customs, celebrations, food, and pop culture of each
Spanish speaking country in the world!

Spanish 1 -
The goal of this high school level course is to allow each student an
opportunity to experience the Spanish language. It introduces students to the
sounds, cultures, and discipline necessary to understand not just another
language but another world. Focus will be given to writing, speaking,
listening, and reading with each unit.

Physical
Education Program

The Physical Education program addresses both the needs of the
individual student and the diversity of the group. Each student has the
opportunity to grow physically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally.
Through a broad range of experiences, the student has the opportunity to
explore, to develop physical competence, and to view him or herself in a
positive matter.

Traditionally, the grades 6-8 physical education curriculum has
been activity centered. It has been organized around team and individual sports,
games, and dance/movement activities as the content of physical education. The
present approach is to organize programs around skill themes.

The activities
for physical education are not geared to specific grade but year to year,
although the activities are modified depending on grade and skill level.
Activities such as physical fitness testing (fitness gram) and track are done
every year. Other activities may only be done once or twice over a three-year
period. Health and Physical activity units are geared to meet the needs and
interest of the current student population. Health activities are more directed
towards a special grade level. In 6th
grade, the topics/areas are Mental and Emotional Health, Nutrition and Drug and
Alcohol Prevention. The 7th
and 8th
grade health curriculum focuses on Drug and Alcohol Prevention, First Aid and
CPR as well as some limited optional sexual education topics promoting
abstinence (Project Reality).

The Career and Education Planning module
helps students become aware of the relationships that exist between educational
and career planning and work and learning. Students are also provided with a
greater awareness and knowledge of the benefits of educational achievement and
will develop career plans in CHOICES
and personal educational plans in ePEP
at www.FACTS.org.
In this module, students are introduced to educational alternatives and course
options as they prepare for the transition to secondary school.

Students
will continue to add information and activities to their electronic career plans
in CHOICES, CHOICES Explorer, or other program. Students will use a variety of
resources to create an educational plan in ePEP
that reflects their high school plan of study. Students will learn what is
expected of them in high school and how their career interests will guide them
in course selections and Major Areas of Interest. They will learn of all the
different options in high school such as dual enrollment, academies, Tech Prep,
advanced placement courses, etc. They will have an understanding of how their
decisions will impact their future lifestyle. They will also develop an
awareness of financial aid and ways to pay for a postsecondary education.